NYC to Las Vegas
Trip Start
Sep 15, 2008
1
5
13
Trip End
Oct 03, 2008
Las Vegas,
Nevada,
United States
Monday, September 22, 2008
The trip to JFK Airport took about 90 minutes but we got to see more of NYC then we did on the way in as it wasn't nighttime. Saw a few games of cricket on the way which was a great surprise!
Had to wait in JFK for what seemed like hours. Check in and Security was just the usual, and we made our way to the gate by about 2 for a 5pm flight. No Internet access here so Ange read a bit and I played a few games on the computer.
Finally we got on the plane, but we were then delayed as one of the crew members was late. Being the busy airport that it is, a delay is bad news at JFK - we were running late. Normally this wouldn't be an issue for us, but we have tickets to a 10:30pm performance of "O" by Cirque De Soleil and we had to pick the tickets up by 9:30 of they would be sold to someone else.
We got to the shuttle bus by about 8, and we just sat there till it was full. Another shuttle bus experience for us. Although its not the drivers fault it makes it hard to tip when you have the cranks and are running late.
Luckily we had checked into the MGM Grand at the airport whilst we were waiting for our baggage so once we arrived at the Hotel it was all steam ahead.
We freshend up and tried to get our bearings. We knew the Bellagio Casino was close from looking at the map - both Casino's were on Las Vegas Blvd, but had no idea where this was. The taxi line was long so we decided to go for a hike. In retrospect and knowing where the casino was this was the wrong move. About half way we had to hail a cab. Ange had rocks in her shoes and they were already giving her blisters. We arrived just as the 9:30 showing of the Bellagio Water show was finishing and rushed into the casino to grab our tickets. We were fortunate enough to get our tickets, as there was already a long Stand-by line.
Looking back now, we could have walked but we would have taken a different exit from the MGM and we would have been there in no time. This was the only time that we had to catch a taxi in Vegas - we walked everywhere after that.
Now it was time to get a feed as American Airlines don't serve meals on flights likes Qantas does. You just get a drink and you have to buy everything else. We hadn't eaten since mid afternoon and it was now 9:50 so we went a grabbed a quick bite to eat. I had the famous "Philly Cheese steak" Sub and it was delicious.
By this stage we had relaxed a bit after the stress of missing out of the show that was sure to be a highlight of the trip and it was off to the show.
The theatre was amazing. Pity we didn't take a camera - you could take photos before the show started, but not during. Hard to compare to anything really at home, but imagine lights and colours everywhere in front of a large stage.
The show was totally amazing - Dad would have loved it simple for the technically brilliance alone. From the start to how the House Curtain disappeared and then reappeared at the end of the to how they used a large 15 foot deep swimming pool, at times in sections, at times not at all with a hard stage floor on it. I think all Cirque De Soleil are pretty much the same from an acrobatic content, the difference is clearly the technical aspects of the show - second to none and all so precisely timed. Highly recommended if you can get to Vegas at some stage.
By the time the show finished we were running out of Adrenalin so back to the Hotel to get some sleep.
